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FACTS ON CIGARS 

FOR UP TO DATE 
SMOKERS 



^ 



By EUGENE VALLENS 

President GENE-VALL CIGAR CO., Inc. 
NEW YORK 



Copyright 1912 by liUGENE VALLENS, U. S. and Canada. 
Copyright 19U by EUGENE VALLENS, U. S. and Canada. 



1314- 



MAY 27 1914 

0)CIA374221 

American Lithographic Co., New York 



INTRODUCTION 

7\ M ERICA gave to the world its first pipe 
-^ ^ of tobacco. There is no doubt about that, 
although the fact has been controverted. A 
party sent out by Columbus from the vessels of 
his expedition in 1492 to explore the island of 
Cuba, reported that they had seen people who 
*' carried lighted firebrands, and perfumed them- 
selves with certain herbs which they carried with 
them." 

As the continent of America was explored, 
later, it was found that the consumption of 
tobacco, especially by smoking, was a universal 
and time-honored usage, in many cases bound 
up with the most significant and solemn tribal 
ceremonies. 



'.#- 




BOTANICAL AND HISTORICAL 

The botanical name of the plant (Nico- 
tiana) was given it to commemorate the ser- 
vices rendered by Jean Nicot, a French Ambas- 
sador to Portugal. Seeds of the plant were 
sent by him from the Peninsula to the Queen, 
Catherine de Medici, accompanied by a report 
containing such information as he could obtain 
concerning it. The plant was first introduced 
into Europe in 1558, by Francisco Fernandes, 
a physician, who had been sent by Philip II. 
of Spain to investigate the products of Mexico. 
At that time the plant was supposed to pos- 
sess great healing powers. 

Although the Spaniards were the first to 
bring tobacco, as a plant, into Europe, the 



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labit of smoking it was spread by the English, 
n 1536 Ralph Lane, the first Governor ot 
/'irginia, and Sir Francis Drake, took over 
/ith them a smoking outfit, which they pre- 
ented to Sir Walter Raleigh, and Sir Walter 
lust have learned to "use the weed," for 
English history tells us "he took a pipe of to- 
acco a little before he went to ye scaffolde." 
With the example of the illustrious Raleigh 
efore them, the Elizabethan courtiers and 
A^ells soon became smokers. During the sev- 
nteenth century the indulgence in tobacco 
Dread with marvelous rapidity throughout 
11 countries. 

'* Blessings on Old Raleigh's liead, 
Tliough upon the block it felly 
For the knowledge he first sptead, 
Of the herb 1 love so well,'' 



CUBA 

The island of Cuba is probably one of the 
most fertile spots in the world, one of its chief 
products being tobacco. 

The commercial varieties and the source of 
supply of leaf tobaccos are numerous. Special 
qualities, as of wines, belong to certain locali- 
ties, outside of which they cannot be cultivated. 
Moreover, as is also the case with wines, the 
crops vary in richness and delicacy of flavor 
with the seasons of their growth, so that in 
certain years the product is of much greater 
value than in others. National tastes and hab- 
its determine, in a measure, the destination 
of tobacco. Of cigar tobaccos, there are many 
varieties; the most valuable in the world 



are cultivated in the western portion of the 
island of Cuba, known as the Vuelta Abajo 
Section, in the District of Pinar del Rio. From 
Brazil have been exported, in recent years, 
large quantities of tobacco to Germany and 
Austria for cigar making. Mexico to the west, 
Porto Rico to the east, and the Philippine 
Islands in the far east, produce considerable 
cigar tobacco, while no small quantity is ex- 
ported from Java and Sumatra. Some of these 
tobaccos look very much like Havana, and are 
often sold for such. It requires many years of 
experience to distinguish them from Havana. 

'^He wlio does not smoke J^as eithei 
known no griefs, or refuses liimself the 
softest consolation next to tliat which 
comes fzom tieaven/' — Bulwer Litton, 



11 



TOBACCO PLANTING 

Tobacco planting in Cuba is usually done 
in the months of October, November and 
December. If the weather has been favor- 
able, cutting begins in the latter part of Janu- 
ary, or as soon as the leaves begin to ripen. 
After cutting, the leaves are hung in sheds, 
where they remain until they are nearly cured. 
Then they are assorted into grades or classes, 
according to quality and texture, and packed 
in bales of eighty (80) carots; the total weight 
of the same being in the neighborhood of one 
hundred (100) pounds. The eighty (80) carots 
are packed firmly, and covered with the bark 
taken from the palm tree. The curing process 
continues in the bales, which are examined 

13 



from time to time. When a bale becomes 
perfectly cured, it is then suitable to be worked 
into cigars. Considerable knowledge and ex- 
perience is required to bring tobacco to this 
condition. The curing is what brings out its 
best qualities. The better cured, the better 
the quality and aroma, and higher the price. 

''Whai wonder if I wonder noty 
Tfie rich, the giddy and the proud. 
Contented in this quiet spot, 
To blow my aftet dinner cloud." 
— Henry S. Leigh. 



THE MAKING OF CIGARS 

The capable and efficient cigar manufac- 
turer in Cuba, or the United States, first 
secures his tobaccos, generally from the Vuelta 

15 



Abajo District, some crops being milder and 
others heavier and richer, or rather higher 
flavored. The bales which are perfectly cured 
and ripe are used first. Making a blend means 
the combining of several types, thereby pro- 
ducing a richly flavored aromatic Havana 
cigar that is so much sought after by the smok- 
ing public. 

The filler, which consists of the smaller 
leaves, is moistened and the stems removed. 
While so doing, such leaves as are not thor- 
oughly cured are separated, to be put through 
a further curing process. The wrapper leaves 
are very carefully handled, being selected for 
color, size, quality and texture, in accordance 
with the various grades of cigars to be made. 



17 



THE PACKING OF CIGARS 

The cigars are assorted by skilled packers 
or selectors, who divide them in many shades, 
according to the uniformity of color. The very 
lightest cigars are marked "Claro," meaning 
light. The next lightest are marked "Colorado 
Claro," meaning light brown; the next being 
marked "Colorado," meaning brown; the next 
being marked "Colorado Maduro," meaning 
ripe brown. These marks have no bearing on 
the relative strength or quality of the goods. 



CIGAR SHAPES 

Smokers who are judges of cigars, generally 
select those made in straight shapes, as they 
are sure to burn, smoke, and taste better than 

19 



cigars made with pointed ends. The latter 
frequently draw hard and are difficult to light 
properly, and also do not give the smoker the 
full flavor or bouquet of the tobacco from the 
start. Furthermore, straight shaped cigars usu- 
ally contain more tobacco than fancy shapes, 
and generally give better satisfaction in every 
way. 

* * Let him now smoke who ne<s^er smoked before. 
And he who always smoked now smoke the more. " 



HOW TO PROPERLY SMOKE 
CIGARS 

When lighting a cigar, be particular to hold 
the match a short distance from the tuck, so 
that you will not burn it or inhale the fumes, 

21 



as I have sometimes seen people do. Alcohol 
flame is the best for lighting cigars. Care 
should be taken to light the cigar all around, 
and not unevenly. Should it be found that 
the wrapper does not burn as fast as the filler, 
you might occasionally expel a few whiffs of 
smoke through the cigar; by doing so the 
wrapper will keep pace with the filler as you 
smoke. Should it then fail to burn properly, 
it will be the fault of the cigar, either in work- 
manship or material. 

Cigars must be smoked slowly. One or 
two puffs at a time is sufficient to keep a good 
cigar going. By drawing too hard the tobacco 
becomes overheated, thereby detracting from 
its full aroma and bouquet. 

The ash should be left on the cigar until 
there is danger of it falling off. Continually 

23 



i 



flicking the ash from a cigar not only impairs 
the aroma, but frequently part of the fire falls 
off, thereby causing the cigar to burn badly. 
The ash being left on helps to bring forth the 
full bouquet of the tobacco. 

When asked for a light, hand your cigar 
with the lighted end towards the person mak- 
ing the request, who should return it to you 
with the same end toward himself, taking care 
not to touch the part you have had in your 
mouth. 

'*Yes, social friend, I love thee well, 
In learned doctor's spite, 
Thy clouds all otljer clouds dispel 
And lap me in delight. '' 

— Chiarles Sprague. 



25 



CARE OF CIGARS 

It has long been a question among mod- 
erate smokers (those who can make a box of 
cigars last for some time) how to keep them 
from drying out, the wrappers becoming brittle 
and deteriorating in quality generally. 

It is well known that cigars are very sus- 
ceptible to any odor, and that they absorb 
the flavor of almost everything with which 
they come in contact, particularly when they 
are fresh. For this reason they should be care- 
fully kept away from all articles that emit an 
odor. To this end I would suggest the removal 
of the cigars from the box as soon as possible, 
to an air-tight glass jar, which will not only 
prevent their drying out, but will cause them 

27 



to retain their flavor until used. The old, 
zinc-lined moistening box containing a pad 
to be dipped in water is not good, as such 
box is not always air-tight, and the cigars 
become dry. Should the pad be moistened too 
often, it will cause the cigars to mould. For 
this reason the glass jar is the most desirable 
of anything yet invented. 

COLORS OF CIGARS 

Consumers generally believe that a dark 
cigar is strong and that a light one is mild. 

They are encouraged in this belief by the 
dealer, who hands them a ''Colorado Claro" 
or "Claro" for a mild cigar; a "Colorado" for 
a medium, and a "Colorado Maduro" or 
"Maduro" for a strong one. This is erroneous. 
The term "Colorado Claro" means light brown, 

29 



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''Colorado" means brown and "Colorado Ma- 
duro" ripe brown; this applies to the wrapper 
only. 

The fact is that when a dark wrapper is well 
cured and of good quality, it is practically 
milder than a light wrapper of the same quality, 
which is not as well cured. It is the CURING 
of tobacco which governs its strength. The 
better cured the material the milder the cigar. 
At the same time there are many grades of 
Havana tobacco which retain their light color, 
and are generally mild, as they do not have 
sufficient gum or gloss to cure them to a degree 
where they become dark. Hence, in fine 
material the light and dark are equally good, 
but usually the dark, which has the least gloss, 
is the mildest. In poor tobaccos the light and 
dark are equally strong and rank, as the color 

31 



I 

loes not influence the quality or strength in 
hie sHghtest degree. Neither does the color of 
he ash denote the quality of the cigar. Some 
f the choicest crops burn to a very dark gray 
olor, and I have known very fine material to 
roduce ashes of various colors, such as dark 
ray, with a yellowish cast, or light gray with 

muddy or reddish cast, while others burn al- 
lost white. It will therefore be readily seen 
hat the color of the ash has no bearing what- 
ver on the quality of the cigar. Some of the 
lost ordinary grades of cigars consume to pure 
^hite ash. 

Many smokers believe that certain shades of 
Qbacco are peculiarly adapted to their taste, 
nd in their efforts to secure their particular 
hade of either brown, green, yellow, or what- 
ver it may be, unnecessarily worry themselves. 



33 



as well as the dealer, with their impossible 
desires. 

Tobacco cannot be judged by shades, or 
matched like ribbons; it is a product of the 
earth, and the intelligent smoker judges it like 
other of nature's products. No one would think 
of asking a grocer for a peck of apples, or berries, 
all assorted to one size and color. The grain 
and texture produces quality and taste; the 
most pleasing to the eye is often the most gall- 
ing to the taste in tobacco, as well as in many 
other articles. 

I SPOTS ON CIGARS 

There are several varieties of spots on to- 
bacco. Some are green and others are yellow. 
The green spots are generally found in early cut 
tobaccos. The color of tobacco when cut is 

35 



green, and the leaves having little body do not 
cure up and change color as well as leaves having 
more body, therefore some parts of such leaves 
remain green in spots. This does not harm the 
tobacco. It only indicates that leaves having 
such spots have not the body to cure up as 
thoroughly as the stouter leaves. 

The yellow spots on cigars are caused by the 
rain throwing small particles of sand against the 
leaves, which, when bleached by the sun, become 
speckled, but are not injured in any degree 
whatsoever. Some manufacturers of cheap cigars 
have been spotting leaves artificially with acid, 
in order to give them that speckled appearance 
which certain persons think improves the qual- 
ity of tobacco. 



37 




Offering a Light. 



(THE CIGAR INDUSTRY 
The use of tobacco has contributed to the 
easure and enjoyment of more people than 
anything else produced in the world. 

Few smokers are familiar with the facts con- 
cerning the raising of tobacco and the art of 
making it into cigars. The choicest tobacco is 
raised in the famous Vuelta Abajo District of 
the Pindar del Rio Province, which is in the 
western end of the island of Cuba. No place in 
the world produces tobacco of such aroma as in 
this section, and there are various grades and 
qualities, some containing more wrappers of a 
much finer texture and aroma. In the finer leaf, 
the largest percentage of wrappers are generally 
found. This class naturally commands the high- 
est price. Frequently $10.00 to $15.00 per 
pound is paid for choice wrapper bales. 

39 




'RSTUJXIXG A CiGAi AfTEJi TaETSTG A LlGHT. 



» 



A few years ago the l)cst hrnnds of rv^;\r: 
were produced only in Cuba. Many hw^'y fac- 
tories there enjoyed a business wliich ?jrrK;urjt/:d 
practically to a monopoly, their products \)(:u\i{ 
shipped to all parts of the world. 

The passage of the McKinley bill in 1890, 
however, placed the American manufacturers 
of Havana cigars in a very favorable position to 
successfully compete with the Cuban manufac- 
turer. 

VARIETIES OF CIGARS 

There are many smokers who classify cigars 
as Domestic, Key West and Havana. DO- 
MESTIC and IMPORTED are correct, as 
all cigars manufactured in this country are 
Domestic, whether made of Havana, or any 
other tobacco. A Key West cigar is a Domestic 
cigar; the entire State of Florida is a cigar 

41 




Glass Jar Containing Cigars. 



manufacturing district, and there are all sorts 
and qualities of cigars manufactured there, out 
of tobacco raised in different sections of this 
country, as well as Cuba. The smoker who 
knows what he wants, asks either for a clear 
Havana or a Seed and Havana cigar. *'A Clear 
Havana" denotes a cigar made entirely of Ha- 
vana tobacco ; *'Seed and Havana" is a term used 
by the trade to designate a cigar which contains 
only a portion of Havana tobacco. Many 
manufacturers represent their goods to be 
Havana, when, in reality they are only Seed 
and Havana. Properly speaking, a "Seed and 
Havana" should consist of an all Havana filler, 
with the wrapper and binder of other tobacco, 
but often it has little, if any, Havana in the 
filler. Seed tobacco is tobacco raised in the 
United States, and the term ''Seed and Havana" 

43 



originally meant a cigar made with Havana 
filler and Seed wrapper and binder, and in 
recent years Sumatra has been extensively used 
in place of Seed for wrappers, but the old term 
''Seed and Havana" still survives. 

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CIGARS 
MADE IN CUBA AND IN THE U. S. 

There exists in the minds of certain persons 
an idea that cigars manufactured in Cuba taste 
different and are superior to cigars of equally good 
Havana tobaccos that are made in the United 
States. There is no difference, excepting that the 
goods coming from Cuba absorb salt air in cross- 
ing the ocean, and, when smoked fresh, the smok- 
er gets the flavor of the salt ; but when the im- 
ported cigars are seasoned the salt evaporates, 

45 



leaving the tobacco in its natural condition, and 
no expert can distinguish the difference. 

TO CIGAR MERCHANTS 

The knack of keeping cigars in stock without 
their drying out or losing flavor is one which all 
dealers do not possess. This end may be ac- 
complished with but little expense, and it will 
result in a larger business and greater satisfac- 
tion to patrons. 

If the dealer has no vault in which to keep 
his stock, an air-tight chest may be used with 
the very best results. Cigars should be kept in 
vaults or chests for about thirty days after being 
made, as in that time the water will evaporate, 
and the full bouquet of the tobacco will be 
brought out. Cigars never lose their flavor or 
deteriorate with age, if properly kept. They 

47 



will retain their aroma, even though they get 
dry. Alternately moistening and drying cigars 
I will cause them to lose flavor, and the flavor 
of choice cigars is sometimes impaired bj^ their 
being kept in proximity to inferior grades arti- 
'ficially flavored. The artificial flavor of the 
"doctored" goods is readily absorbed by the 
higher grade cigar. 

In California the atmosphere is so damp 
hat cigars always remain moist, and even dry 
igars become moist in a very short time. In 
me parts of Europe cigars keep in about 
e same condition as in California, and are 
nly sold after being in stock from two to five 
years. 

Cigars in Cuba always remain fresh and will 
not become dry. Only when the island is vis- 
ited by the north winds, during the winter sea- 

49 



5on, do they become sufficiently dry to smoke 
>vell. For many months during the year in 
Cuba, cigars are too moist to smoke, even if the 
material was in proper condition when they 
ivere made. The humidity of the air at times 
renders them so damp as to be unfit for use. 

'' Wtien love grows cold, Ihy fire still watms me. 
When friends ate fled, thy pzesence charms me. 
If tliou att fully thougti purse be bare, 
I smile and cast away all care." 



CIGARS IN GLASS TUBES 

The consumer of these goods has the satis- 
faction of knowing that the cigars are direct 
Tom the table of the cigarmaker. By the use 
5f glass tubes, the cigars not only retain their 
latural aroma, but are rendered impervious to 

51 



the absorption of the odors of other articles 
ivith which they may come in contact. 

Every person who has been on an ocean trip 
is well aware of the disagreeable effects of salt 
air on cigars. No cigar is fit to smoke that has 
been exposed to the ocean air for any length of 
time. One that has been hermetically sealed in 
a glass tube can therefore be fully appreciated 
under these circumstances. The salt air or 
other deleterious odors have not reached it, and 
you can smoke it nearly to the end before it is 
affected. How often has it been exclaimed 
concerning the glass tube cigars, ''They are the 
only cigars fit to smoke on an ocean voyage." 

The following incident fully demonstrates this 
claim: In traveling from Havana to Tampa 
some years ago, I met several gentlemen from 
Boston, one of whom was purchasing cigars for 

53 



a large importing house and the other had been 
buying for personal use. The latter, having a 
little time on his hands, made the trip to Cuba 
in company with his friend and laid in a stock 
of cigars, ranging from $150 to $500 per thou- 

Ifeand, believing that he could buy them cheaper 
in Havana than of the dealers in Boston. When 
I saw the cigars he had purchased I called his 
attention to the fact that he had paid consid- 
erably more than the price he could have bought 
them for in the city where he lived. While 
smoking them on the boat they began to taste 
very badly, and he immediately lost confidence 

them, suspecting that he had been swindled. 

thereupon produced a few cigars in sealed 
glass tubes and divided them with the gentle- 
nan, who smoked them with great relish. I 
relieve he would have disposed of his entire 

55 



purchase of cigars at a greatly reduced price, 
but I explained to him that it was only the 
effect of the salt air, and that upon going ashore 
his cigars would soon be restored to their origi- 
nal flavor. 

Hermetically sealing each cigar in a glass tube 
possesses these unique advantages. 

After making, the cigars are seasoned to ex- 
actly the proper condition for immediate use 
and then enclosed in their individual air tight 
containers, thus not only preserving the original 
flavor and aroma which are the distinguishing 
qualities of only properly seasoned cigars, but 
also insuring them against dust and handling. 

Furthermore, when cigars are carried in an 
automobile, they are subjected to the permeat- 
ing and contaminating odors of oils and gasolene, 
which affect most deleteriously the finest to- 

57 



I 



bacco. The glass tube makes this impossible, 
and enables the tourist to carry and keep the 
best cigars in perfect condition indefinitely. 

The glass tube cigar is also very desirable 
when traveling by rail, as it is always in prime 
condition, regardless of steam heat or other 
changes in climate, being pure, sweet, clean and 
fragrant as anyone could desire. Put up in this 
way they are never handled until they reach 
the smoker. Aside from the question of clean- 
liness and a satisfaction of knowing what one is 
getting, they are in more perfect condition for 
use than they could possibly be when carried 
in any other manner. There is no reason why 
the pleasure of a good cigar should not be in- 
tensified by the manner in which it is served, 
the same as the pleasure of eating and drinking 
may be increased or diminished by the appear- 

59 



ance of the linen, tableware and the service that 
accompanies the dinner. At nearly all banquets 
and dinners, cigars are now served in glass 
tubes, and they are everywhere meeting with 
the approval of connoisseurs. 

' '^5 the good ship glides with majestic sweep, 
O'er tl^e filmy spzay of tl^e ocean deep, 
My thougl^ts float away to the land afar, 
On the balmy wteath of my good cigar.'' 

THE EFFECTS OF SMOKING 

The smoking habit is one upon which '*doc- 
tors disagree" in discussing its effects upon the 
human system. It has never been fully demon- 
strated that tobacco is injurious, whereas, on 
the other hand, it has been conclusively proven 
that much pleasure may be derived from indul- 
gence in smoking. Many prominent men of all 
nations have stated, over and over again, that 

61 



they believed cigars were a necessity, that they 
stimulated the brain, rested the nerves, and had 
altogether a decidedly soothing effect upon the 
central nervous system. Millions of men in all 
walks of life will testify, that in the trials and 
perplexities of business, they find a solace in 
the smoke of a good cigar which nothing else 
can give, and which no other indulgence will 
bestow. To the lonely, tedious hours of the 
traveler, a cigar often serves to pass the time 
pleasantly. 

"The smoke (of the cigar) has an extraordi- 
nary power in removing exhaustion, listlessness 
and restlessness, especially when brought on by 
bodily or mental fatigue, and this property is 
the basis of its use as an article of luxury," says 
Sir Robert Christison, M. D. 



63 



It is very generally admitted by the medical 
profession, that tobacco is a safeguard against 
the contracting of various diseases. For exam- 
ple : during the cholera epidemic of 1892 in Ham- 
burg, which is a large cigar manufacturing point, 
only four out of a total of five thousand cigar- 
makers contracted the disease, and these foui 
recovered. 

Smokers are less liable than non-smokers tc 
contract diphtheria and other throat diseases 
in the ratio of one to twenty-eight. So says 
Professor Hajak, of Vienna. 




^j^^CcX 




64 



THE DIFFERENCE IN CIGARS 

Few dealers and consumers realize the difficulties in 
the manufacture of cigars. Cigars when made look 
simple enough, and the public probably think that little 
effort is required to produce them. 

This is true of certain cigars which are made by 
machine, molds and team work, etc.; but cigars made 
strictly by HAND of the finest quality of tobaccos are 
entirely a different proposition. In order to produce 
FINE cigars, a supply of fine material must be secured 
sufficient to last for one year at least, as all crops vary 
in aroma. Only such crops or vegas must be obtained 
which, when properly blended, will produce that exqui- 
site aroma which is so much sought for by connoisseurs of 
fine Havana cigars. Even fine tobaccos may be blended 
to their disadvantage. 

There is a vast difference in Havana tobaccos; con- 
siderable is very bad, some is ordinary, some is fair, a 
little is very good. Not all Havana tobacco is good 
tobacco; some of the poorest tobacco in the world is 



L 



grown in Cuba. The same difference exists in diamond 
as in tobaccos; all are called diamonds, the majority o 
them are very poor, some are ordinary, some are fair 
some are good, and a few are very good; yet all ar 
called diamonds. About the same ratio exists in Ha van; 
tobaccos. 

The only good Havana tobacco is that which i 
raised on fine soil, in the Vuelta Abaja section, by ; 
capable and experienced farmer, who watches his cro] 
carefully and uses proper fertilizers, and under the righ 
weather conditions for growing, packing and curing 
produces good tobacco. 

It is well known to the trade that only a small por 
tion of the Island of Cuba can raise fine quality tobaccos 
The major part of the Island produces a tobacco tha 
while it is called Havana is in fact frequently much in 
ferior to tobaccos raised in many sections of the Unitei 
States and elsewhere. 

In view of these facts, the public can readily under 
stand that all cigars bonded, guaranteed, labeled an( 
sold as Havana cigars are not necessarily good cigan 



The writer, who some years ago manufactured the 
greatest quantity of high grade Havana cigars in the 
world, knows from experience that a large factory will 
not permit of producing extra fine goods of superior 
quality with positive regularity, owing to the difficulty 
in obtaining large quantities of choice Havana tobacco, 
because the crops vary according to weather conditions. 
The methods of good workmen vary as much as grades 
of tobacco. When using the same quality of tobacco the 
skilled workman will produce a decidedly better cigar 
than the unskilled workman. 

Good cigars — those that will smoke and taste right 
must be absolutely hand-made — require the most careful 
and arduous attention on the part of the skilled work- 
man; for this reason, capable hands are scarce. The 
Gene-Vall factory, employing only skilled workmen, 
produces a limited quantity of cigars (not exceeding 
three millions) made of the very best tobaccos. Only 
goods properly seasoned and in perfect condition are 
shipped from the factory. Each workman's product 
is boxed separately in order to insure uniformity. 

Our motto will be " HOW GOOD," not '* HOW 
MANY." 

Quality always being held paramount warrants our as- 
surance of producing absolutely the best cigars obtainable. 

The public is invited to inspect this model factory at 
all times. Yours respectfully, 

Eugene Vallens, 
GENE-VALL CIGAR COMPANY, Inc. 















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